Question:
Looking for info on Dr. Michael Schwartz - MN

Have you had surgery with him or know anything about him? He practices in the Twin Cities.    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 8, 2002)

February 8, 2002
I just had surgery with Dr. Schwartz on Tues., 2/5. I am very pleased with him. As far as I know, my lap RNY and gallbladder removal went well. I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon (had to stay an extra day because I couldn't pee on my own.) Just adjusting and recovering now. Let me know if you have other questions. [email protected]
   — Christine C.

February 8, 2002
I haven't met either Dr Schwartz or Dr Drew. All I know is that they have way more business than they can handle. I've been trying to get a return phone call from their nurse, Judy, for the last 3 weeks. I've left voicemails and even had handwritten messages given to her by the person who answers the phone. This lack of response is very frustrating. So, if you can wait forever to actually have the surgery, I'd at least meet him! Good luck! p.s. And that is no way to run a business! These doctors are making PLENTY of money off this, they should hire another person for cripes sake!
   — Angie M.

February 9, 2002
I had LAP RNY w/ Dr. Schwartz on 9/21/01. I know they are very busy right now, and that is in part due to Dr. Schwartz doing a television special in the Twin Cities area on the new Lap band that he is doing. He still does the LAP RNY as well. Him and his partner, Dr. Drew, are the only surgeons in the area (I drove 2 hrs to go there) who do LAP RNY's. The rest do Open's. So you can see why they have such a high demand. At this point, they can't handle their business cuz they have two surgeons and hundreds of people who want their services. It takes a lot of training to learn LAP surgery, so adding more surgeons is unrealistic to expect. I would have waited a year just to have Dr. Schwartz, his statistics are the best, his success rates are phenomenal. He makes the pouch less than 1 ounce, and he takes a piece of connective tissue from you leg and wraps it around the stoma to prevent over stretching. He is great, so try to be patient and hang in there!
   — Melissa B.